loads for Tikka T3

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has anyone got any favourite loads for the T3? Not for deer! Fox mainly
It might save me a lot of experimenting
trying 38 gr of varget with 70gr noslers tomorrow. It's just a minimum load, but hoping its a good one

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I've got a Tikka T3 in .243 and it seamed to like 75grn Hornady HP and H4350 powder lite by CCI 200 Benchrest Primer's unfortunalty I lost the load data with my computer so you'll have to have a play but it was a real tack driver of a load, pleasent to shoot and put shot after shot in through the same hole at 100m.

If you can get hold of the a Hornday Reloading manual that what I used. For H4350 use between 42.9 gr 3100FPS and absolute Max load of 46.7gr 3400fps. I'd advise to stay below the max just to be on the safe side.

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Let us know how you get on with them, 105gr bullet's are supose to difficult to stabalise in .243 rifles unless the rifle's got a twist rate of at least 1 in 10 or less.I think the TIkka might be able to do it.

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They are a good bullet, i have used them and found them good on roe. although i am generally using hornady 1nterlock as i have found them easier to get hold of. I have to say that i don't use the 243 on deer at all now. it is going on loan to my cousin.

the twist rate thing can be quite crucial. i dealt with a bloke who applied for 2 x 223 rifles. he had one for foxing but when he took it north found it wouldn't stabalise a heavier bullet for roe stalking. It's a good job it was me that was the feo. it would have been like talking a different language to most bobbies.

the way i work it is

1 what am i going to shoot- what is a reasonable calibre and bullet wieght for this (i look for a bullet that is in the middle of the wieght range for the calibre)

2 look at rifles i can afford and with a twist rate that suits the bullet that i want to shoot. this might take a bit of research on 'tinternet.

3 go and look at one and buy one i like i consider barrel length and carry-about-ability of the rifle. the rifle make is not really important. i have a good look at the rifle and look down the barrel with a barrel scope (if the shop has one)

4 when i get it home i clean the barrel properly and then go and shoot it.